Libya Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Problem, WHO Confirms

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that Libya has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health issue. This major achievement marks a significant win for public health in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region. The hard-fought milestone protects future generations from preventable blindness and shows that countries can overcome neglected tropical diseases even when facing ongoing challenges.

“This milestone shows Libya’s commitment to protecting its people’s health and proves that progress against neglected tropical diseases is possible everywhere,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Eliminating trachoma as a public health problem is an inspiring success for the Eastern Mediterranean Region and for communities across Libya.”

With this validation, Libya becomes the 28th country worldwide and the 8th in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to eliminate trachoma. The accomplishment demonstrates how programs based on scientific evidence and coordinated technical support can beat neglected tropical diseases, even in situations involving complex humanitarian issues and migration.

“Libya joins a growing list of countries from the Eastern Mediterranean Region that have eliminated trachoma,” said Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. “This result reflects strong regional teamwork and Libya’s determination during very difficult times.”

A historic disease defeated

Trachoma has been recorded in Libya for more than 100 years. Surveys in the 1900s found high rates of active (inflammatory) trachoma in communities across the country, especially in the south. After early efforts by the Ministry of Health to control infectious eye disease in the 1970s and 1980s, and later improvements to the health system, surveys showed that transmission had dropped dramatically.

In 2017, the Ministry of Health made trachoma elimination a priority as part of national eye health work within the National Prevention of Blindness Programme. With support from WHO, Sightsavers, the International Trachoma Initiative, and Tropical Data, new surveys were conducted in 2022 across six southern districts where trachoma was believed to still exist. These surveys found that rates of active trachoma and trichiasis (a condition linked to trachoma) were below WHO elimination thresholds—except for trichiasis in Wadi Al Hayaa/Ghat. A trichiasis surgery campaign was then carried out there. In 2025, another survey confirmed that trichiasis rates had dropped below WHO’s elimination threshold.

Progress despite hardship

Libya’s success is especially remarkable given years of political instability and humanitarian challenges that strained health services, displaced people, and increased the need for basic services like water, sanitation, and hygiene. Despite these pressures, the national trachoma elimination program successfully kept up surveillance, expanded access to surgery, trained eye health workers, and worked with national and international partners.

“This validation is a source of pride for Libya and proof of the dedication of our health workers and communities,” said Dr. Mohamed Al-Ghoj, Acting Minister of Health. “Even through hard years, we kept our focus on improving eye health services and making sure no one was left out. This success would not have been possible without the professionalism and commitment of our doctors, nurses, and health workers in the field who reached every district to ensure a future free of preventable blindness.”

Over the years, the WHO Country Office in Libya provided extensive technical and operational support to prevent, detect, and control diseases and to ensure the best possible health and well-being in the country. “Reaching trachoma elimination status in Libya shows what can be achieved when the Ministry of Health teams and the WHO teams work as one. It is a collective public health victory achieved through science, national effort, and international cooperation,” said Dr. Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative in Libya.

About trachoma and elimination efforts

Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through contact with infected eye discharge via hands, clothing, or flies. Repeated infections can cause scarring on the inside of the eyelid, turning eyelashes inward so they scratch the eyeball. This painful condition is called trichiasis and can lead to blindness.

Worldwide, the disease still exists in many vulnerable communities where access to water and sanitation is limited. In 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), creating a network of governments, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. WHO continues to help countries where trachoma is still present to speed up progress toward the global goal of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.

Neglected tropical diseases

Neglected tropical diseases are a group of 21 different conditions that cause devastating health, social, and economic problems. They affect one billion people globally, and their impact is mostly seen in poor communities in tropical areas.

Public health targets for controlling, eliminating, and eradicating these conditions were set in the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030. In 2025 alone, 9 countries were validated, verified, or certified by WHO for meeting these targets. With the validation of trachoma elimination as a public health problem, Libya becomes the 59th country worldwide and the 10th in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.